The world of Game of Thrones continues to expand with multiple new spinoffs in the works. One spinoff, Aegon’s Conquest, has gotten a new update from its writer, Mattson Tomlin.

Tomlin spoke about Aegon’s Conquest in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He commented on his admiration for author George R.R. Martin, whose literary works have inspired Game of Thrones and the hit prequel series House of the Dragon. The writer shared how he’s currently working on the pilot episode, but he’s keeping Martin personally involved throughout t he writing process. Tomlin explained how he has the benefit of getting all of the information he needs straight from Martin anytime hits a snag in the script.

“I’m in the middle of writing the pilot now,” he said. “I’m in touch with George all the time, and I feel really, really lucky to just have the God of this world in my texts, and I can just shoot him a text and go, ‘What does this mean? Please help me.’ And then he will send me an encyclopedia of information. So it’s all with respect and reverence and just what I want more than anything is to get to make this show and have it be something that he’s extremely proud of.”

I’m in the middle of writing the pilot now.

Tomlin also commented on why he believes he earned Martin’s seal of approval to develop a new Game of Thrones franchise series. He stressed how figuring out how to include dragons into the show was secondary to the story. Tomlin explained how he drew upon his real life to make the concept of the show as “personal” as possible, and he believes this is what ultimately got him the job of spearheading the spinoff.

Making It Personal Secured the Job for Mattson Tomlin

“I figured out a way to make it personal,” Tomlin said. “And a lot of what won me the job was relating it to real life. And talking about the Romanian Revolution and talking about my mother and talking about sometimes a conquest can happen and it can be very good for the people that are being quote unquote “conquered,” but also it can split apart families. And I had things to say beyond, ‘the dragons come.’ And that’s not an easy thing to do, because you’re also trying to do a faithful adaptation in which the dragons come.”

The writer added, “And so having something to say that was really personal, I think that that’s why he in part chose me. And so was I nervous to get the job? of course, because for me, it’s kind of like you want these jobs, but then if you get them, then there’s this moment of going, ‘Now I actually have to do this.’”

Aegon’s Conquest doesn’t yet have a premiere date set at HBO.